Chapter 529: The Battlefield
Our real task is to propel you back onto the battlefield that's rightly yours.
Failure isn't the end. It's about gathering the strength to stand up again before the naysayers can even grasp what's happening!
The buzz about Natalie had gone beyond the fashion world, transcending industry boundaries.
That was hardly surprising. Natalie had made waves with her striking shots right after branching out from the Watson family, not to mention the buzz she and Jane had generated with their fierce performance on 'Bazaar Challenge,' winning over legions of fans.
Before anyone knew it, two of the top brands that had signed Natalie as their brand ambassador silently announced the termination of their cooperation with her. A few major shows followed suit, quietly cutting ties. Their discretion went unnoticed until someone with an agenda dug up the information and blew it out of proportion.
The fall from grace sparked a myriad of reactions. Some lamented the meteoric rise and sudden plummet of Natalie's life, while others regretted seeing such a young prodigy's potential go to waste.
Beneath the sighs and sympathies, however, was a quiet chorus of mockery and ridicule.
After all, Natalie had once been the envy of many—ascending the ranks at an unprecedented pace, being the wife of an influential tycoon, and showcasing undeniable expertise in her field.
In the past, aside from her background, there was little to criticize about her.
Now, just the mention of her name stirred up gossip in both fashion and high society circles.
For anyone else, the stark contrast between past and present, compounded by vicious rumors, would have been crushing. But Natalie was made of sterner stuff.
She focused on the daily grind—eating well, committing to her rehabilitation, following every piece of advice from her therapist, and maintaining her physical fitness.
When we're talking about keeping fit, we're really talking about toning those muscles. Natalie hadn't gained an ounce in the two months she'd been off the scene. If anything, she'd slimmed down considerably.
Bit by bit, Natalie started venturing out more frequently, doing everyday things like grocery shopping and taking walks in her neighborhood.
At first, people gave her sideways glances because of her walk, and paparazzi even sneaked photos, clearly aiming to spread rumors amongst their insider circles that she was now disabled, and her days on the catwalk and in the fashion world were over.
Natalie let them play their games, paying no mind to their antics.
Words often fell on deaf ears, and most people chose to believe what they wanted. Rather than argue, it was better to bide her time and stage a comeback so fierce that it would drop her detractors from the heights of smugness to the pits of despair, leaving them without a chance to retaliate.
That day, just like any other, Natalie was on her way home from buying groceries when a figure suddenly dashed in front of her.
She was looking at a clothing design sketch on her phone, with her shopping bags in her other hand. By the time she looked up, an elderly woman was already lying on the ground in front of her.
Natalie was certain she hadn't touched the woman—there was a few feet's distance between them.
A wave of alarm washed over her as she realized the situation. Looking down at the lady on the ground, she noted the expensive handcrafted embroidered gown the elder wore, valuable not only for its intricate decorations but also for its material.
"Ow! Oh dear!" the lady exclaimed from her sitting position, her voice gentle and her posture surprisingly elegant.
"Hey there, do you need any help? Should I call a doctor for you?" Natalie approached and was about to crouch down when she suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The elderly lady before her looked to be in her seventies, exuding a gentle elegance. It was apparent from her features that she had been a rare beauty in her younger days, but more importantly, she looked strikingly familiar!
"It's you, you're the one who bumped into me! Don't even think about leaving!" The old lady gripped Natalie's hand tightly, as if afraid she might slip away.
Natalie's eyes caught a glimpse of the diamond bangle sliding out from the sleeve, hanging on the wrist.
After a moment, it clicked why the elderly lady seemed so familiar.
"Madam Windsor, aren't you accompanied by someone when you go out?" Natalie asked, a mix of confusion and resignation in her voice.
Marjorie didn't expect Natalie to recognize her so quickly, considering they had only met once over a video call.
"How do you know my last name is Watson? Who are you? Even if you know I'm a Watson, I won't let you off the hook for making me fall!" Marjorie feigned ignorance of Natalie's identity.
"You really don't remember me? We've met over a video... Never mind, let me help you up first."
Natalie recognized Madam Windsor, but it wasn't certain the lady would recognize her, especially since they had only connected once via video. With many onlookers around, it seemed best to bring Madam Windsor to her nearby home first and let the Windsors come to fetch her later.
After all, this was Oliver's grandmother and Mr. Liam's former employer; it wouldn't be right if she didn't offer some assistance.
"Madam Windsor, I live just down the block. If it's alright with you, come and sit at my place for a while, and you can call your family to pick you up."
"Alright!"
Marjorie agreed so quickly that for a split second, Natalie wondered if this was exactly the response the old lady was waiting for.
Marjorie was well-preserved, both in appearance and health. At over eighty, she easily passed for someone just in her seventies.
Natalie intended to assist her with walking, wary of another stumble, but the old lady walked with surprising stability—nothing like someone who had just picked herself up from the ground.
Back in her youth, Marjorie had been known as a gentle and graceful debutante, and even in her golden years, she was renowned for her elegance. Natalie found it hard to believe that someone like Marjorie would stoop to intentionally causing a scene.
But if it wasn't on purpose, what was that whole performance about just now?
Sighing, Natalie was at a loss.
Unnoticed by her, a discreet black SUV was parked not far away. Inside sat a driver, two bodyguards, and Mr. Liam in tow.
Mr. Liam had observed the whole charade and had expressed admiration for Madam Windsor.
"Mr. Liam, is it really okay for Madam Windsor to do this?" one of the bodyguards inquired.
Mr. Liam remained silent before giving a brief response.
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